NCSLI 2007Strategic Directions: Metrology Workforce Challenges 1 Strategic Directions in Meeting Metrology Workforce Challenges Georgia L. Harris NCLSI VP Education & Training NIST Weights & Measures Division

NCSLI 2007Strategic Directions: Metrology Workforce Challenges 2 Overview What is the problem? Why is it hard? What is the scope? What should we do? How will we know if we are successful?

NCSLI 2007Strategic Directions: Metrology Workforce Challenges 3 What is the problem? Trends: “It’s not NEW”! –STEM gaps: students, teachers and public –Demographic changes –Pace of technological change –Global issues –Generational changes –Efforts in the 1980’s and 1990’s Actions –Professional organizations –Numerous national reports and proposals –U.S. Federal involvement ACI, State of the Union, DOE, DOD, NSF –More STEM outreach –More training for teachers –More dedication to R&D –International issue, e.g., iMERA, SBM “No Sector Can Remain Disengaged” –Competition for greatest resource - people Graph: Compliments of Joseph Tidwell, ASU STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Practicing Engineers (USA) Years M* Need Current Workforce How do We Fill the Gap? 2010 Most growth comes in the Computing Technology field

NCSLI 2007Strategic Directions: Metrology Workforce Challenges 4 Why is it hard? We don’t have a “case for metrology” Metrology is an “accidental profession” Metrology is “small” Our scope is too narrow if we only focus on “metrology education and training”

NCSLI 2007Strategic Directions: Metrology Workforce Challenges 5 What is the Scope? 1.Focusing on “Metrology” is not enough! 2.Focusing on “Education and Training” alone is not enough! Metrology is a specialized field and Metrological concepts are needed in many fields –All STEM fields –Management –Business –Economics Need for staff (with suitable KSAs) through Recruiting (Outreach) must be balanced with Retirement and Retaining issues KSAs: knowledge, skills, abilities Workforce Planning includes: –Understanding society demographics Pace of change (e.g., technology and information) Diversity Cultural changes (boomers, Gen X, etc) Retirement trends Globalization and competition for staff resources –Understanding the knowledge, skills, and abilities (core competencies) required for changing jobs –Awareness of changing career paths –Recruiting, retaining, keeping happy employees Appropriate job classifications and pay –Educational system and its output Technical illiteracy Innumeracy –Ongoing training of current staff (life long development) Technology changes Standards change

NCSLI 2007Strategic Directions: Metrology Workforce Challenges 6 What should we do? Strategically focus. 1.Do ONLY the things that make a positive impact in ensuring an adequate metrology workforce. 2.STOP doing things that are less effective and strategic.

NCSLI 2007Strategic Directions: Metrology Workforce Challenges Framework Metrology & Standards Outreach Human Resources Career Paths Personnel Qualifications Education Formal Programs Training Training Resources Training Opportunities (Events) Training Assessment Infrastructure Knowledge Management Technology Trend Analysis Collaboration Funding

NCSLI 2007Strategic Directions: Metrology Workforce Challenges E&T Committees Staffing & Reorganizing Metrology & Standards Outreach (164) Human Resources (163) Workplace Development* Professional Development* Education (164) Formal Programs Training (161) Training Resources Training Opportunities (Events) Training Assessment Infrastructure Knowledge Management Technology Trend Analysis Collaboration Funding (162)

NCSLI 2007Strategic Directions: Metrology Workforce Challenges Plan: Top NEW Items 161: Training Resources –Regional Training –IACET Authorized Provider (CEUs) –Needs Assessment Studies 162: Financial Resources –Solicit and Manage Financial Resources (EDF) 163: Workplace & Professional Development –Develop an HR Package for Metrology –New RP on Developing Training and Succession Plans 164: Education Liaison & Outreach –Strategic Liaisons for Outreach (Sections, Members, Professional Organizations, Educators) –Multimedia Resources –Curriculum Assessment

NCSLI 2007Strategic Directions: Metrology Workforce Challenges 10 How will we know if we are successful? Simple answer: –We’ll have adequate numbers of qualified staff –We’ll have a sustainable system for ensuring long-term workforce needs are met More difficult answer: –Dynamically assess each activity to measure alignment and impact Responsively add activities where needed Ruthlessly eliminate activities that are not aligned

NCSLI 2007Strategic Directions: Metrology Workforce Challenges 11 What are current gaps? 1.Knowledge Management How can we develop the infrastructure to capture, store, and retrieve knowledge? 2.Technology Trend Analysis How can we identify the education and training requirements for new technologies before the need becomes critical?

NCSLI 2007Strategic Directions: Metrology Workforce Challenges 12 For more information or comments: